My wife and I are departing for an extended trip to Honduras at the beginning of March '10. We have both travelled through parts of Mexico but never this far down the continent. Hoping for some advice on where to go, what to bring and what not to bring. Flying in to San Pedro Sula with plans to head out to Utila for a couple of weeks-give or take-and then perhaps over to the western part of the country to check out the areas around Copas Ruinas and Gracias. We're very open though as far as itinerary goes, and any input from people who've been to Honduras would be greatly appreciated. Thinking about Guatemala and Belize as possibilities as well.
1
islandflavour
I really prefer Roatan over Utila- you have time to check out both (there's a catamaran that makes a daily trip between the two islands). And check out Cayos cochinos (probably least expensive departing from the mainland at sambo creek)- it's so beautiful out there!
2
wackyjoe
Thanks for the advice. Any recommendations for places to stay on Roatan or Utila while we're there. Since it's an extended trip we'll be trying to stick to a budget of some kind. Early in the trip we might find some room to splurge a little bit.
Wife and I just got OW certification a few months ago. Might want to get a refresher since we're so inexperienced and it's been a while since we dived. Been looking through other posts for recommendations but haven't seen too many. Please let me know what you might know on this.
3
hopefulist
I hope you'll read my travelogues and blogs and look through my photos of Honduras (and Guatemala and Belize if you care to). We've spent a total of about 3 months in Honduras split between 2005, 2006, and 2008: Copán twice, Utila twice, Roatán and Guanaja each once, and La Ceiba and the surrounding mountains once. We have loved every place we've stayed and everything we've done there.
I write detailed travelogues with recommendations for activities, dive ops, restaurants, and lodging options and take lots of photos; sometimes I post a photo blog, too. No 1st hand lodging recs for Copán though - I always live with a local family there - so here are links to 3 I've checked out and would recommend (different budget levels): Manzana Verde, Casa de Café, and Hacienda San Lucas. In addition to live links in most of the travelogues you can check out my tripadvisor.com reviews, too.
My packing list is #14 in the FAQ - pack light! onebag.com Have fun planning and keep us posted!
4
endless_summer
I lived in Honduras from 2005 to 2009. A few random notes:
The Bay Islands are like different countries. On Utila and Roatan, English is widely spoken, tourism is well developed (over developed IMO), and Latino customs and cuisine are absent. On the mainland, English is rare outside of tourist lodges, the tourism industry is badly underdeveloped, and the atmosphere is much more Latin than Caribbean.
March is in the middle of the dry season. The weather will be warm but not humid. It can get pretty hot and muggy on the Bay Islands around that time.
Cayos Cochinos isn't worth it. It's more expensive that Utila or Roatan, the only hotel on the islands doesn't have great facilities, and the diving isn't any better. Most of the islands are barely developed, and frankly I think we should leave them that way.
Honduras gets better as you move from the south to the north of the country. Southern cities like Choluteca are poor, dirtry, and just ugly. Central towns like Comayagua and Siguatapeque are beautiful but not very interesting to the casual traveller. The north coast (pretty much everywhere north of San Pedro Sula) is a tropical paradise.
La Ceiba is a great base for exploring Honduras. The city has outstanding night life, and there are beautiful natural areas nearby.
I'm a big fan of the Jungle River Lodge just outside of La Ceiba. Their guides are really outstanding. I've heard good things about Omega Lodge (just up the road from Jungle River Lodge) as well.
Garifuna Tours in Tela is another really great outfit. Their kayak tour of Punta Izopo is not to be missed. Their boat trips to Punta Sal are also really great. Garifuna Tours has an office in La Ceiba as well, though I haven't used them.
Avoid Tegucigalpa if you can. Central America isn't as dangerous as many people make it out to be, but Tegucigalpa is even more dangerous than described. Common sense precautions will keep you safe in most of Central America. Tegucigalpa is one place where all the precautions in the world might still get you killed. This is from someone who travelled there twice a month for four years.
Copan Ruinas is a great town that you ought to check out. Copan Ruinas is a place where tourism is just right. It strikes a perfect balance between an authentic experience and easy access. The ruins are a ten-minute walk from the town itself.
You absolutely must have a drink of Flor de Cana. It's a Nicaraguan rum that's the absolute best in the world. I've tried rums from Puerto Rico, Cuba (literally from Cuba, not "Cuban-style), and Jamaica, and Flor de Cana blows them all away. Screw that Carribean crap! The best rum (and the best cigars) are from Central America!
Feel free to ask any other questions you have.
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